Reformed Thurles Badminton Club heads into its sixth year

The dawn of a new year brings with it a chance to look back at all that was achieved in 2022. A chance to set or adjust your goals for 2023.

Also a chance to stop and be thankful that we have this brilliantly entertaining sport/hobby as part of our lives.
The reincarnation of Thurles Badminton club is heading into its sixth year. Our links to the old club and the huge success they had are limited.

However our young group have people once again talking of Thurles Badminton club as a force to be reckoned. Let there be no doubt that it is the young talented players some of whom are with us from 2017 that have us in such rude health.
Not only are they doing it for the club but their schools are benefitting from it and now the various colleges they attend.

Landmark Season

When the 2022 season started there wasn’t much in terms of plans or goals to be set. Getting back to normal was in itself a goal. That was easily achieved and when entries for the league were requested we had a young but strong team.

Prior to the league we had twelve players take part in the County doubles competition. In Borrisoleigh, Thurles won both the Ladies and Mixed doubles. League Captain Victoria Lupton was part of both teams with Molly O’Brien & Luke Aherne as her partners.

The Mixed team went on to win the Munster Doubles title. Victoria was blowing her way through the grade also claiming a Munster Singles Open H title. These experiences put us in a great position for the league. We remained unbeaten in the group stage.

The county final against an experienced Templemore was tense but we duly dispatched our neighbours to claim the Grade H county title.

Pictured above: Tipperary and Munster Mixed Doubles winners Luke Aherne and Victoria Lupton

Munster Honours
It was onto Munster in the daunting twenty-two court hall in the UL. A very tense opening match in the ladies singles which saw a hotly contested point set the mood. The young team stood their ground and after three lively sets both Luke and Victoria won the matches. That set us on course to win the 2022 Munster H title defeating Mungret in the final.

While our captains led the way the whole year our ladies doubles Rachel Sheedy & Ciara Coffey won their semi & final matches that day which was a huge step forward for them and help to the team.

Sean Kavanagh & Morgan Lanigan came up against strong opponents that day. The best was saved for the Mixed matches with Morgan and Victoria winning the all important point for the win.

The title haul didn’t finish there. Victoria, upon smashing her way to the Tipperary Ladies title, would add the Munster title to that. Herself and Luke needed every point to claim the Mixed H Munster title.

For anyone counting that’s four county titles and four Munster titles won by Thurles and its players.

The calender year hadn’t closed when a few of the players headed to UL again for the U19 Munster Open in November. There it was that lady, Victoria Lupton who won the Division 1 Singles while finishing up runner up in the ladies doubles. On the day one of our younger players Alec Aherne did the reverse in Division 2. At fifteen years of age winning the Mixed doubles and runner up in the singles is a significant achievement.

Facilities & Sponsors
To be in the position we are you need a few things, players, commitment and the all important venue. The Ursuline Secondary Sports Hall has been our home from the start. Its four court facility has allowed us to get some real court time for all players. The Nuns have looked after us with Tommy & Vincent having the hall ready for us. The odd evening has seen matches go beyond our two hour slot. Which at the end of a long day is a big ask. We can’t thank the men enough.

The success and demands of the clubs progress has pushed us to add another venue to cater for matches/training on different nights. Thurles CBS Primary school have been very good to help us out. This will benefit the club and the school as we will put a fresh court on the hall floor and leave equipment for school use during the week.

Last year we also had Doran Oil back our team in the league with the new jerseys being worn with pride. It was a big help to have this support. We thank Catherine and Seamus Doran for that as we really catch the eye from the minute we walk in the door.

We are currently seeking sponsorship for the 2023 season. For the first time we have entered two teams in league competition. This is another big step forward but comes at a cost. We will need to offset as it’s a demand players can’t burden on their own. So we hope to have news of shortly.

If any business in the Thurles area would like to become a partner, please don’t hesitate to call the number below.

Good for Your Game

We have to make a point of telling people the benefits of playing badminton with students in mind. A lot of the above was done through some very busy times for all. Most of our players had the pressure of exams which is never easy and especially so coming from the whole covid schooling online process.

The one thing they all kept up was their nights in the hall. It was a pressure free, fun environment which gave them exercise and a place to meet, chat with others. It provided the perfect foil to the exam pressure. You have no fear of suffering injuries that could make things complicated.

Badminton is also a very clever sport requiring sharp quick decision making. Which certainly wouldn’t do anyone any harm. The skills Badminton improves are beneficial to all other sports. Quick movement, thought process, reading opponents, understanding patterns in play and learning to hold the nerve for those all crucial match points.

We can see already the success from a small group participating in it. Basically badminton is good for you and good for your game.

We continue to play every week Tuesdays 6pm – 8pm and Fridays 7pm – 9pm. You can message us on Facebook or contact 0833533893